Bartenders

Certification or Licensing

Bartenders must be familiar with state and local laws concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages. Although not required to by law, many restaurants and hotels hire bartenders who are certified in alcohol awareness. A bartender and an establishment that serves alcohol can be held liable in accidents or injuries caused by a customer who drinks too much. Most bartending courses include this certification in their training programs and some restaurants and hotels also offer alcohol awareness certification to all employees who serve alcohol. In some states, bartenders must have health certificates assuring that they are free of contagious diseases. Because of the large sums of money collected in some bars, bartenders must sometimes be bonded.

Other Requirements

Aspiring bartenders must meet age requirements, which vary by state. While some state laws allow 18-year-olds to serve alcohol, some restaurant and bar managers may prefer to hire employees who are over 21 years old.